Contemplation: The Virtue of Sweetness

Contemplation: The Virtue of Sweetness

 

The Virtue of Sweetness

Just as eating and serving something sweet makes your taste buds feel sweetness, and for a while after, you remain happy, become sweet-natured yourself so that words filled with sweetness are constantly spoken. Such sweet words make both you and others happy. Use this method to always sweeten everyone's mouth; constantly maintain a sweet attitude, sweet words and sweet actions.

Be a Master

When there is power within, we are able to do what is required at the
right time. We are able to find the resources and use them
appropriately. All we have to do is to be a master and order and the
right resource will be obediently accessible for use. To say "I will
try to do it" is to experience failure even before beginning something.
We need to have the thought that I will do it come what may. Then the
seed of our thought will be of faith and not of doubt. So we will be
successful in doing what we have to.

The Two Dimensions Of Being A Detached Observer

There are two dimensions of being a detached observer - the inner dimension and the outer one.

Let us look at the inner dimension of detached observation. It is the ability or the technique to stand back from or observe in a detached way our own thoughts, feelings, emotions, attitudes and behavior. We are creators and our thoughts, feelings, emotions and attitudes are our creation. In fact, this is the first step to becoming a ruler of the self and making the self powerful. If we fail to detach from our thoughts and emotions then they will be our masters, they will go out of control and will, as a result, leak away or waste our energy. Practice simply being the witness of whatever you are thinking and feeling. This is an important aspect of any good spiritual practice and after a while you will find it an experience that both, frees you and empowers you.

The external dimension of detached observation is the technique of being a witness to or an observer of the scenes, of the world around us. As we stand back and watch the scenes of life being played, on the world stage around us, without being actively involved, we can see the 'big picture' more clearly. This makes it easier to judge clearly what is the most suitable contribution that we can make and the most suitable role we can play - through our thoughts, words and actions.

Soul Sustenance

Rajyoga Meditation For Beginners 

Let us practise the steps of Rajyoga meditation: 

1. I hold in my mind the words Om Shanti, ‘I am a peaceful soul’: Let us reflect on this statement, or mantra. A mantra is something that frees the mind from wasteful and negative thoughts, stress and worry. A mantra is usually repeated over and over again in order to get the desired results. However, in meditation it is not a matter of repeating words over and over again without truly understanding them. Otherwise it becomes forced concentration. Concentration of the mind should be natural because, when it is so, the mind can remain in a state of peace and relaxation for a very long time. The result of this is a recharging of the battery of the self, a renewal of energy from inside. 

How do we achieve this state of natural concentration on the thought, I am a spiritual being, I am a peaceful being. 

2. I reflect on 'OM’; the consciousness of I am.
What does I am mean? In this thought, the attention is drawn only to the present moment. I have no need to go into I was, I will be, I hope to be or I should be. To go deep into the self, I need to be completely in the present. This thought of 'I am' takes me into the consciousness of self-realisation. 

3. I focus and concentrate on the thought until I stop thinking about it and experience it. 

These are the primary steps of silence and must be mastered correctly. 

Message for the day

To be wise is to enjoy the beauty of life. 

Expression: Wisdom gives the understanding that life does not function haphazardly. It teaches that everything that happens in this theatre of life has deep meaning and significance. Wisdom also brings the understanding that what is reaped today is a result of what was sown yesterday. So whatever actions are done now are filled with positivity and beauty - for, there is always the desire to reap better fruits. 

Experience: When I have the true understanding I find myself satisfied and content with everything that is happening in my life. Yet there is the desire and the urge to go on being creative and using my resources for the benefit of all. I go on planting beautiful seeds of positivity and power. So I continue to enjoy the fruits of the seeds I plant. I never stop with obstacles but move forward with confidence. 

Contemplation: Your Best

Contemplation: Your Best

24 million years ago. That's how long ago the formation process of the Zhangye geopark took, meaning that the Danxia landforms date back to the Cretaceous age.

Your Best

As you do, so you become. Every action that you perform is recorded in you, the soul. These imprints ultimately mould your character and destiny. When you understand this principle, you will pay more attention to bringing your best to everything you do.

Identity Crisis

In Child Psychology, there is a concept called 'identity crisis' often
associated with teenagers; as they move into adulthood they sometimes
become perplexed with life: what are they to do in the future, are they
are mere images or extensions of their parents and family, what is
their identity as a human being etc. If they do 'find themselves' they
carve their own niche, and are able to achieve their goals. If not,
they go on with life nonetheless but with a constant inner search. The
biggest gift God gives us is to know and love ourselves honestly. That
knowledge that we are spirits, souls, and practice of
soul-consciousness outweighs any other spiritual teaching in the world.

The Energy Of Give And Take In Relationships

Love, more than any other virtue, is an extremely positive energy; it is an invisible prime mover and foundation of each one of our lives, a source of motivation and inspiration. People lacking love in their lives are normally lesser motivated and happier than those who have positive and healthy relationships full of love and an immense amount of love in their lives. But when the same energy of love, possessing immense positive potential, is negatively focused and is not used correctly, it leads to many dependencies which are negative in nature. How?

When you love someone, that could be your parents, your spouse, your children, your siblings, your friends, any relationship for that matter; there is a invisible and positive emotional and mental attraction between you and that person which keeps you connected to him/her, but the moment the love turns into attachment and becomes a dependency, that person starts dominating and controlling your inner world of thoughts, feelings and emotions and your mental and emotional freedom is lost.

It is as if your inner world succumbs to the influence of the other person and you are no longer yourself. Everything that goes on inside you and that comes out of you has an impression of the other. This kind of love is not empowering, energizing and healing, because in this kind of love, over a period of time, desires, wants and expectations from the other start emerging. All these emotions place you in a mental mode of taking instead of giving. Also in such a kind of love, where love is mixed with a desire to possess, over a period of time you start wanting to control the other. From this control, you start exercising a power to influence the other.

At first you are under their influence. As more attachment builds up, this is followed shortly by your desire to bring them under your submission and influence them. That way, you feel that you have them and that they belong to you. This is love that wants to take and not give. In this kind of relationship of love, there is suffering and sorrow. Even if joy exists, it is extremely short lived. Unconditional love or love that only wants to give and not take or expect, strengthens and is healing, it never hurts or inflicts pain on the other.

Soul Sustenance

Rising Above The Expectation Of Praise From Others 

Sometimes, we get offended or ill almost on purpose in order to receive special treatment. Out of a lack of self-esteem and insecurity, we depend on the appreciation and affection of the other, for them to value us, praise us and always to speak kindly to us. Even though they have given us many signs of appreciation, if for a few days they give us none, our inner world or our self-esteem collapses. We become dependent on what others do, or don't do, in relation to us, whether or not they nourish our self-esteem, and then what happens? We are always waiting for the other to give us something when in reality we can give it to ourselves. 

Spirituality makes us experience our internal treasures of bliss, happiness, love and power. It makes us aware that we are givers, emitters and radiators of these qualities rather than takers. This consciousness helps us rise up above the above discussed dependencies and remain seated, stable on our throne of self-respect. 

Message for the day

The one who is responsible is the one who constantly has good wishes. 

Expression: To be responsible means to recognise the importance of one's own role. That means there is the understanding that others' transformation is dependent on one's own transformation. When there is the recognition of one's responsibility, there is naturally alertness. This alertness brings good wishes for even the ones who are not being positive. 

Experience: When I am able to maintain good feelings for all those I come into contact with me, I find my relations gradually improving. I also find that I am ready to take up the challenge of changing myself before I can think of changing others. Due to this, others continue to take inspiration from me and bring about a change in themselves too. 

Contemplation: Great Donors

Contemplation: Great Donors

Sunrise Lanikai, Hawaii

Great Donors

Those who share peace through their thoughts are truly great donors.

Meditation

Meditation simply means the management of your thoughts. It is to have
the ability to think of what you want and when you want, without
interference from other thoughts. Meditation is to develop the ability
to concentrate on a particular subject without being attracted and
influenced by the five senses, the five vices and the five elements.

Understanding And Expressing Your Potential (cont.)

A person with a free mind (discussed yesterday) can use all of their creative capacity in order to live out their dreams.

To use one's creative capacity fully means:

* Being aware of the power of the imagination and channeling it in a constructive way.
* Being able and to be open to discovering and to learning.
* Becoming aware and dissolving self-limiting beliefs.
* Being attracted by excellence, embracing the experiences of superior quality and letting go of the desires and experiences of lesser quality.
* Having good discrimination power thanks to which one has a good power of decision.
* Having the will power and discipline to apply decision.
* Having the courage to be different and to overcome obstacles.

Soul Sustenance

Detached Observation – A Spiritual Skill 

Detachment is the basis of our ability to be positive and affectionate with others while we interact with them. This is what is known as commitment and the relationship of detachment and it begins with what is known as a spiritual skill: the skill of being a detached observer. 

On needs to be a detached observer in two dimensions: one within and one outside: 

The inner art of detached observation is the ability of separating ourselves from our own thoughts, emotions, attitudes and behavior. On the external level, the art of detached observation is the art of being witness to the scenes that take place around us. While we detach ourselves and observe how the game of life develops, without being active participants, we are able to see the "big picture" with greater clarity. That makes it easier to see clearly what role we have to play and where our contribution lies. We are creators, and our thoughts, emotions and attitudes are our own work. 

In reality, detached observation is the first step towards personal strengthening. If we don't manage to detach ourselves from our thoughts and emotions, they will turn into our owners and will consume our energy. 

For the practice of meditation it is essential that you act as a witness of everything you think and feel, and, once some time has passed, you will find that the practice simultaneously frees you and offers power. 

Message for the day

To finish waste questions is to find a solution. 

Expression: When a difficult situation comes up there are waste questions in the mind either about the past or about the future. Questions like 'why did it happen like this?' or 'What will happen now?' are very common. But to keep the mind busy with waste questions is to block it from using its capability of finding solutions. On the other hand, to finish waste questions, means to keep the mind free for finding solutions. 

Experience: When I keep my mind free from waste questions, I am able to be alert and find the right answer to every problem. I have the confidence and I know that every problem has a solution. When I keep my mind in the present by freeing myself of waste questions, I am able to quickly and easily find the solution and find myself moving towards success even in all challenging situations. 

Contemplation: Smile

Contemplation: Smile

Smile

When I smile, not only do I feel happy, but also I bring a ray of light into the lives of others

Enthusiasm

Without enthusiasm life becomes a dry and tasteless experience. Anyone
can become enthusiastic for a little while but to keep enthusiasm
steadily flowing through our life is a great art. The secret is
remarkably simple; live in a state of appreciation; appreciate the
special qualities within everyone; appreciate the wonder of nature and
give thanks to the cycle of life and everyone's contribution to it.
Enthusiasm is infectious, especially when it is based on an
appreciation of, and love for life itself.

Understanding And Expressing Your Potential

A free being is the one who recognizes their potential; they care for it, nourish it, use it and express it. It is an awakened being. It has stopped blaming, complaining and making excuses. It has taken on its full responsibility and has an attitude of gratitude at each moment. It is a relaxed being, but it does not get too comfortable in comfort zones or laziness. Out of peacefulness and spiritual strength, it rises above beliefs that limit their potential to grow and shine.

Its energy is full of love, courage and determination. It is a concentrated energy that governs their mind and emotions; it is not distracted by the unimportant, it does not lose sight of the important and does not allow itself to be trapped by anything or anybody. Therefore, their energy is fully centred and has great power. Not the false power that comes from stress, adrenaline, pride and ego, but rather the power that arises from a being whose conscience, decisions and actions are aligned. From a being that knows that nothing or nobody can prevent it from being free and express their full potential.

A free mind is a mind without limits, open to everything and closed to nothing. It is a mind that clings on to nothing and, because of this, is relaxed with everything. A mind is closed because it gets stuck on something; it is blocked by fears or disturbed by worries. A person with a busy, closed and clinging mind will get disturbed, they will fluctuate, they will lose their emotional stability and they will be easily offended. This doesn't happen to a person with a free, open and relaxed mind because they never lose sight of the true meaning of who they are.

(To be continued tomorrow ...)

Soul Sustenance

Experiencing And Maintaining A State Of Contentment 

To reach, experience and maintain a state of contentment or fulfillment you have to first realize what true freedom is and then learn how to use it so that it strengthens you and also helps you to achieve the full potential of your individual self. 

Freedom is the key to contentment. You also need to check what brings you close to the state of fulfillment and what takes you away from it. Fears of different kinds are one of the main obstacles in experiencing contentment. Any weakness, inability to apply any virtue or spiritual power required in any situation, lack of focus, inner instability, etc. will cause a leakage of the energy of positivity that is required to feel content.

Free yourself of any personality trait that hinders your progress and does not allow your inner being to manifest itself and express itself with all its potential. To live in contentment, you should be in charge of your inner mental and emotional world. If not, you will only be able to experience temporary periods of fulfillment. 

To achieve fulfillment you not only have to have inner control, but you also need to check whether there is any door open to allow any weakness to enter the room of your personality. Because if you strengthen yourself on the one hand and on the other you are weakened, you will never reach the desired state of inner power. E.g. you keep a bucket of water under a tap of water. If it has even a single crack, however much water you pour into the bucket, it will never get filled completely. In the same way, this can happen to you. Because of this, you need to check, which cracks are present in your personality through which there are leaks of energy, because of which your efforts to become content do not give you the results you hope for.

Message for the day

To be a master means not to be cheated by one's own weaknesses. 

Expression: When there is any weakness working within me it means that the internal power is not working at that time. To be a master means there is total control over all the internal powers. Whether it is the power of concentration, or the power to decide or the power to be stable, whatever power is required is used according to the right time. So no weakness is expressed but only inner strength is revealed. 

Experience: When I am able to use all my powers at the right time, I experience mastery – over situations and over others. But most of all I find that I am a master of myself and my own feelings and emotions. I am always in control of my emotions, however challenging the situations outside may be. So I find that I am never cheated by my weaknesses. 

Contemplation: Contentment

Contemplation: Contentment

LAKSHADWEEP BEACH-INDIA

Contentment

Contentment is a great virtue, though it may not attract one's attention at first. Those who are truly content are usually quiet about it. It is a pleasure to be in their company, because they are full, peaceful, and generous.

Personal Experience

Whether you believe in God or not is not important. The main thing is
to keep an open mind, and be willing to start the conversation. The
experience of so many people is that when they engage in a mental
conversation, whether it's with a question or simply sharing what is in
their heart, they get a reply. This is God as a personal experience,
not just a voice in your head. Not your higher self. But the presence
of the Source in your life. God is not a concept, or a belief. You
cannot have a conversation with a concept. You cannot have a meaningful
relationship with a belief. Worth a try?

The Life Jacket Of Hope

In the midst of the constant changes of life and confusing or chaotic situations, hope, becomes our life jacket, which helps us to keep afloat and not to drown in the hurricane that at times causes unexpected or sudden changes. Without hope, we expect the worst. Our vision gets cloudy; we do not find or see any ray of light to see by. The mind fills with questions, allowing it to be overpowered by doubts and insecurity. Fear takes control of us and everything turns into a mountain or an un-climbable wall. It seems to us that we will not be able to get out of the difficult and critical moments, or it will be difficult for us to get out of the "hole". We feel incapable of going forward. Fear and doubt paralyze us and prevent us from deciding with clarity and acting with determination. We need to find support or help and, when we don't get it, we go even further down.

Living with hope keeps us awake. With hope we are open to the opportunities that life offers us. We overcome fear and expect the best. With hope our forces are joined in order to deal with and overcome difficulties. We maintain the vision that everything will get better and things will streamline themselves, giving out benefits to all. Hope helps us to keep the meaning of our life alive.

Soul Sustenance

Meditation To Experience My Inner Beauty 

Experience the following thoughts one after the other: 

I sit in a relaxed position, I am comfortable… 
I let my body relax, keeping my back straight, my legs supported comfortably on the floor, I breathe deeply... 
Now I begin to carefully observe my mind… 
What kinds of thoughts arise in my mind? Are they positive, negative? How are they moving? Slow, fast... 

I carefully observe my mind and remember that I can choose my thoughts… 
Consciously, I begin to redirect my thoughts... 
I create positive thoughts about myself... 
I think about my good qualities, I identify a specific quality that is special to me and which I feel makes me a unique being… 
Perhaps the quality is being tolerant, sweet, patient or affectionate… 
I create a space in my inner self to discover my best quality, and for a few moments I think about it… 
In my mind I see the beauty of this quality and observe how I feel... 
I am sweet, I am kind, and as I experience these special qualities, I begin to feel better about myself… 
Now I imagine using this quality in my interactions with others. How do I feel when I express and put this quality into practice? 
Using a quality makes me grow, at the same time the good feelings I have about myself as a unique human being also makes me grow…
I enjoy these feelings for a few moments and little by little, breathing deeply, I am aware that I am here; I express my inner beauty… 

Message for the day

There is magic in each day for those who have the eyes to see. 

Expression: The ones who are happy, always find something new. Even in the most ordinary and routine situations, they are able to find something interesting. So they are able to use everything that is with them in the best possible way. They are the ones who bring newness with enthusiasm and make the best use of the resources available. 

Experience: When I have the eyes to see the magic of each day, I have the ability to appreciate even small beautiful things of life. I constantly find myself content with whatever is happening and whatever I attain in my life. My contentment also brings creativity and I am able to experience progress by making use of all that is with me. 

Contemplation: Protect Yourself

Contemplation: Protect Yourself

Volcanic Island of Aogashima, Japan.

Protect yourself from useless and negative thoughts by maintaining a positive attitude.

Faith

Faith means that there isn't the slightest form of doubt in any
situation or at times of obstacles. Situations have to change and they
will continue to change. The supports that your faith has now will be
removed, and even after that your foundation has to be strong. If your
foundation is not strong, then supports are necessary. Therefore you
need to maintain your peaceful, loveful state and your love and faith
for God has to remain unshakeable.

Other recipients:

Understanding Anger And Its Many Forms It is easy to understand how anger is one of the greatest fires in the human mind. Anger may take the form of yelling, shouting and verbal abuse, such as threatening, accusing, demanding, giving ultimatums: 'Do

Understanding Anger And Its Many Forms

It is easy to understand how anger is one of the greatest fires in the human mind. Anger may take the form of yelling, shouting and verbal abuse, such as threatening, accusing, demanding, giving ultimatums: 'Do it or else!' But anger is also seen in the irritation when we do not speak: it is that silent smouldering (burning) where we emit fumes and fires of stored resentments (anger) and hatred, which effectively cuts real communication with others and ultimately ruins relationships. We get angry because we expect a certain type of behaviour from someone and when the behavior is not according to our expectations we become violent, convincing ourselves that others deserve to be punished.

However, this result is an unresolved violence, which keeps emerging according to time and circumstance. Angry people feel too self-justified to even think about forgiveness, or letting go, in order make a person or situation peaceful - they are too attached to fact that they are right and the other is wrong.

Soul Sustenance

Self Esteem

Self-esteem comes when I really value myself: When I place value on myself, then others, too, will value me. When I don't value myself, how can I expect others to value me? If I continuously put myself down, saying 'I'm no good' or 'I am not capable', other people who hear this will start believing it. So what do I do? The key word is 'consciousness'. As I start to become make my consciousness positive by creating positive thoughts many times in the day about myself like “I am the most fortunate soul in the universe” or “I am a victorious soul, I cannot experience failure in any step in life” or “I am a self sovereign soul, ruler of my sense organs” or “I am a destroyer of obstacles” or “I am a spiritual rose flower who spreads the fragrance of divine qualities” or similar thoughts, I become spiritually alert, then I am in a position to start valuing my life and as I start valuing myself, I develop self-confidence. The effect of this is that I start valuing others, understanding that everyone has their own position: not higher or lower, just different. Each one's uniqueness has its value.

Message for the day

The one way to change others is to deal with them with love.

Projection: When you have love for others, you will have good wishes for them. Your desire to change them will then be for their good and not for your own selfishness. Others will quickly respond to your unselfish love and you will find them changing.

Solution: Think of one person you want to bring about a change in. Before you think of changing that person let there be a lot of love for that person in your mind. Also make sure the change you want in the other person is for his own good and not for your own selfish reason.

Contemplation: Attitudes

Contemplation: Attitudes

Artist: Abdalieva Akzhan

Attitudes
When you extend pure love to everyone with selfless motivation that is an attitude of kindness. When you send good wishes and pure feelings to those who are in deep sorrow, that is an attitude of mercy. When you see the virtues rather than the weaknesses in people that is an attitude of compassion. When you bless and uplift someone even as they defame you, that is an attitude of forgiveness. When you tolerate a situation and take responsibility as well as give cooperation even when not appreciated, that is an attitude of humility and self-respect. Every second, every moment and every breath of your life is nurtured by attitude.

My Mind

It is said that the mind can be your best friend or your worst enemy.
At every moment we have the opportunity to choose our company; thoughts which bring oxygen to the spirit or those who bring pain. If I am
loyal to myself, I will continually strive to go back to my inner core
of positivity. I will be patient and loving, and increasingly my mind
will reside in this positive inner truth. When I am able to be loving
and loyal to myself, I can then help others in this same unconditional
manner.

The Five Spiritual And Five Physical Elements (cont.)

As we have explained earlier in this series, the Supreme Soul always remains an Ocean of the five spiritual virtues or elements peace, purity, wisdom, love and joy right through eternity. The soul is made up of three faculties - the mind, intellect and personality.

Meditation is a direct connection in which a human soul, using the two faculties - the mind and the intellect, connects with the most powerful Supreme Source or Soul and draws spiritual power from it. This absorbed spiritual power then transforms the third faculty - the personality, filling it with the five virtues mentioned above. The more the spiritual power absorbed the greater and faster is the filling up of virtues. These virtues then become a balm which heals the many different types of wounds of ego, anger, hatred, hurt, jealousy, possessiveness, greed, criticisms, desires, etc. which have left their mark on the soul in this and many past births of the soul. They gradually restore in the soul the confidence to emerge from the shadows of negativity and to live in the light of its original nature.

It is amazing, and heart-warming, when one rediscovers these qualities beneath all the other impressions formed during this and previous lives that have probably been peaceless and sorrowful at times. The journey of meditation bypasses all the negative tendencies and allows the soul to touch these original qualities, experience their truth, and express them in its life.

The other three factors which help us in understanding as well as experiencing peace, purity, wisdom, love and lasting happiness or joy are:

1. The understanding and inculcation of the complete spiritual knowledge of the soul, Supreme Soul and the eternal world time cycle.

2. Attention on the self and checking and changing the self during the entire day and also keeping a daily chart of the main weaknesses or negative personality trait in the self, which is filled every night before going to sleep.

3. Sharing the five spiritual virtues along with spiritual knowledge with others through thoughts, words and actions. Treasures shared with others will bring about a direct increase in the treasures in the self. Also, blessings received from others, by serving them help in the same purpose.

Soul Sustenance

The Search for Happiness and a Perfect Relationship

Throughout history, human beings have desired and searched for two things, happiness and a perfect relationship. There is an old truth, ''You cannot search for what, you have not already had or known." In other words, our search is motivated by a deep subconscious memory of the original, perfect and eternal relationship with our Friend, Guide and Parent, the One remembered as God, Allah, Ishwar, Jehovah, etc. It is only when our relationship with this Being is restored that we can experience true happiness or bliss. Bliss is the deepest spiritual happiness we can experience. It is experienced only when we are free of all attachment, when we no longer misidentify with anything physical and when our inner mental state is not dependent on anything or anyone.

At its highest level, our relationship with God is pure and non-dependent, and therefore blissful. Deep within the soul, there is a memory of the bliss of this perfect union and it is the deepest motivation in our search for the perfect relationship, for the perfect happiness. However, instead of seeking at the level of spirit, we seek at the level of mind (personality) and body. We search in those around us for the perfect partner - our soul mate. It is not incorrect to have worldly relationships, but there needs to be a deep realization inside each one of us that our true soul mate, is the One with whom we can have an ever-lasting, eternal relationship, the One with whom we have the deepest eternal bond (over a period of many births), the One from whom we will experience everlasting, eternal, unconditional attainments.

Message for the day

The one who is responsible is the one who is satisfied.

Projection: When responsibility is taken up and fulfilled with commitment, there is efficiency and effectiveness in the work. This results in satisfaction and contentment at having made a significant contribution.

Solution: Each day let me take up the responsibility of contributing something significant to any task, even if it is a simple one. Having done this, I will find that I am able to be happy with whatever I am doing, for having made some contribution.